Kyle Cesare, 20, and Emanuel Briffa, have both been acquitted of match-fixing charges for a Malta-Montenegro U-21 game.

The case relates to the Malta-Montenegro European championship qualifier match on 23 March. Nine Malta U21 players were approached and asked to be involved in a scam. Malta was to lose by three goals to nil. It was said that only two players were interested, Mr Cesare and Mr Briffa.

As a result, the plans were scrapped, and Malta wound up losing by one goal. It emerged that the betting syndicate had then set their sites on a Malta-Czech Republic match.

The accused were charged associating themselves with foreign persons who conspired to commit a crime in Malta as well as committing acts which result in profiting, to the detriment

Magistrate Joe Mifsud, presiding over the case, noted that the accused had been arraigned in court before the three months time period which is allotted for players to report irregularities with the relevant authorities. It was also noted that this was a case of coercion; in view of the way the accused had been approached to be part of the match-fixing plan.

Magistrate Mifsud praised the remaining players for turning down the offer, and cautioned all local teams to be wary of being approached by foreigners to take part in wrong-doing. He spoke of a global threat by betting syndicates, and how authorities all over the world have woken up to this situation and are taking the necessary steps to mitigate the growing trend.

 Stefano Filletti is defence counsel for Mr Briffa, while Clifton Galea is appearing for Mr Cesare. Lawyers Adrian Camilleri and Chris Bonnet are appearing parte civile for the MFA.